Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Access Humboldt Goes Dark

They had to use the Internet to do so, but Access Humboldt announced last night that it's joining Wikipedia and others in the SOPA strike by going dark from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. today. Here's the official announcement:

Access Humboldt is participating in action to highlight US legislation
that threatens commercial censorship of the Internet.
The "Stop Online Piracy Act" (SOPA) and the "Protect IP Act" (PIPA)could fundamentally change the Internet, as we know it - giving corporations the ability to control people's speech, limiting the fundamental openness and stifling creativity of the Internet. Among other things, these bills could censor websites, limit innovation, and kill jobs - outcomes that our communities cannot afford.

Congress must stop these bills - but if we are going to get a long term solution that serves the public interest, they need to hear from us. North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-1) has expressed his opposition to the proposed SOPA/PIPA legislation saying: "Those of us who value the Internet as an amazing tool for communication, innovation and economic development, must stand together in opposition to SOPA - the overly broad Stop Online Piracy Act. At a time of continued economic uncertainty, I oppose SOPA because it will stifle online innovation and result in fewer new businesses, fewer new investments, and fewer new jobs. From 2004-2009, 15 percent of our country's GDP growth came from the Internet industry. While online piracy is something we must continually fight, SOPA is something we can't afford." [quote from Rep. Thompson's facebook page, provided by staffer]

Access Humboldt executive director Sean McLaughlin said, "Thanks to Congressman Thompson for taking a principled position on this important issue! The proposed SOPA/PIPA legislation would place private commercial interests above the basic human rights of our people. Local community voices must be protected from potential abuses of absentee owners and profiteers who seek to control the marketplace of ideas. We join with others across the country on this day of protest against Internet censorship."